Turkistan may become the third Kazakh city to be included in
the World Craft City List. Taraz was the first to be added in 2022, followed by
Almaty a year later. The opening of a craft town may bring international
recognition to Turkistan as early as this month. The new tourist complex is
expected to become an important part of the region’s cultural image and attract
more visitors. Covering an area of 2.5 hectares, the site will feature
workshops where artisans can showcase their creations. For example, pieces like
these by Bolat Issabekov. The craftsman works with bone, leather, and wood to
create unique artistic sculptures, paintings, and souvenirs.
«The core of my works is made from scapular bones, with some
pieces crafted from femur bones, hooves, and ankles. I am an artist by
profession, and creating such pieces is my favorite hobby,» shared craftsman
Bolat Issabekov.
Experts from the World Crafts Council for the Asia-Pacific
region, as well as the Council for Southeast Asia, have arrived to explore the
history of the spiritual capital of the Turkic world and assess Turkistan’s
potential.
«Beautiful city. It’s a city of culture, it’s a city of
history, it’s a city of tradition. And we are very much impressed by how the
people and government have kept alive their historical and cultural heritage
and traditions. You see, the government is supporting the revival of all the
crafts. Turkistan is having all the major crafts, and artisans are doing great
work,» noted expert from India Sohan
Kumar Jha.
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